RUSTON -
Louisiana Tech let an early two-set lead against New Orleans slip away before take the fifth set and the match 3-2 (25-9, 25-18, 25-27, 21-25, 15-10) Saturday afternoon in the final contest of the Louisiana Tech Fairfield Inn Volleyball Invitational at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Despite a comfortable 2-0 lead and heading to the third set, the Privateers of New Orleans (0-7) mounted a comeback to win the third and fourth sets over LA Tech (4-3) and give the Lady Techsters a scare.

Maria Coelho began the match with five service aces and added three more later for a total of eight aces, which ties her for the single-match record in Louisiana Tech Volleyball history. Coelho also assisted on 40 kills with 17 digs and two block assists. In three matches this weekend, Coelho totaled 12 service aces and just three errors.

For the third straight match, junior outside hitter Rebecca Redgen led all scorers with 18 kills, while also recording two aces and two blocks for the match. Over the course of the weekend, Redgen totaled 52 kills with an average of 3.71 per set. The junior college transfer averaged a .214 hitting percentage in three matches played. Xzache Mathis also stood out for the Lady Techsters with 41 kills and a 3.15 average per set.

Senior Caitlin Germany was a force at the net this weekend for the Techsters with 12 total blocks - two solo, 10 assists - in two days at the LA Tech Invitational.

Western Michigan ended the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record, while LA Tech won two of three, with the one loss coming against the Broncos Friday night. McNeese State ended the weekend at 1-2, while New Orleans failed to earn a victory over the course of the weekend.

Louisiana Tech returns to action at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday as the team hits the road to face Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas. That match marks the beginning of a five-match road stretch for the Lady Techsters.